Refiner disc

ABSTRACT

A feed end disc for a double rotating disc refiner characterized by means which dictate that the materials fed to the refiner will pass to the eye of the refiner in a free moving flow, without building on the disc spokes and without by-pass of the refiner discs. The said means are constituted by lug-like devices which project from the infeed face of the disc to the refiner inlet. As the feed end disc is rotated, each lug-like device employed produces a turbulence and a directional influence on the flow of the material to be refined which draws the material to and through the disc feed passages to the eye of the refiner.

United States Patent 1 Horstman REFINER DISC [75] Inventor: Anton J.Horstman, Springfield,

Ohio

[73] Assignee: The Bauer Bros. Co., Springfield,

Ohio

[22] Filed: Jan. 21, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 435,233

[ June 17, 1975 2,937,815 5/1960 Elrich 241/245 X 3,207,450 9/1965Horstman 241/251 Primary ExaminerGranvi11e Y. Custer, Jr. AssistantExaminer-Howard N. Goldberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm.lerome P. Bloom[57] ABSTRACT A feed end disc for a double rotating disc refinercharacterized by means which dictate that the materials fed to therefiner will pass to the eye of the refiner in a free moving flow,without building on the disc spokes and without by-pass of the refinerdiscs. The said means are constituted by lug-like devices which projectfrom the infeed face of the disc to the refiner inlet. As the feed enddisc is rotated, each lug-like device employed produces a turbulence anda directional influence on the flow of the material to be refined whichdraws the material to and through the disc feed passages to the eye ofthe refiner.

17 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures REFINER DISC BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to improvements in double revolvingdisc refiners, and more particularly to improvements in their feed enddiscs which render such refiners more economical to operate and moreefficient and satisfactory in use, even on high consistency feeds. Theuse of this invention results in a significant and unexpected reductionin the normal incidence of wear in refiner components and associatedfeed structure.

Double revolving disc refiners have proven to be an important tool inpulp refining. They are particularly advantageous for use in theproduction of higher quality fiber products. However, as in theapplication of any tool, demands are frequently made which produceproblems in their use. In recent years, with shortages of raw materials,energy problems, and a continuing need for more economical and efficienthigh quality pulp producing operations, the double revolving discrefiner has been asked to more efficiently act on materials which arefed to the eye of the refiner at ever higher consistencies. Oneobjective has been to reduce the number of refining passes heretoforerequired in the refining procedures. In the process certain feed andbypass problems have evidenced themselves, particularly in the course oftheir operation on materials of a sticky or adherent character. It hasbeen found in instances of high consistency refining of such materialsthat they tend to adhere and build up on the spokes on the infeed faceof the feed end disc. The consequence of this is an increased load whichmay cause an imbalance of the refiner and inefficient use of power inthe refining procedure. In some cases this development has caused shivesto by-pass the feed end disc, and a resultant reduction in the qualityof the end product. While not necessarily objectionable for certain endproducts, the need for more efficient operation and better quality endproducts has resulted in considerable effort to eliminate such problems.Failing a proper solution, these efforts have become increasingly urgentwith increasing evidence of raw material and energy shortage.

The present invention not only provides a solution to the noted problemsbut its application renders all double revolving disc refiners moreefficient and satisfactory in use and adaptable to a wider variety ofapplica tions, irrespective of feed consistency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a feed end discfor use in double revolving disc refiners characterized by means which,in operation thereof, unexpectedly function to inhibit buildup ofmaterial on the infeed face of the disc. Such means operate to producean inherent turbulence which influences the materials fed to the refinerto pass freely to and through the feed passages of the feed end disc,without buildup of the material on the disc spokes or bypass of thematerial to the outlet of the refiner. The means by which this highlydesirable influence has been effected include lug-like devices appliedto the infeed faces of the spokes of the feed end disc. These devicesmay be separably attached to or formed integral with the feed end discand are so located that at least portions thereof lie within the radiallimits of the inlets of the disc feed passages. While the reasons arenot fully understood, the results of the application of the lug-likedevices have been totally unexpected, as to the degree of theireffectiveness in overcoming the above noted problems evidenced in theprior art. Even more than this, the invention has generally improved theoverall operating characteristics and function of double revolving discrefiners. Feed operations have been substantially improved and there hasbeen a substantial reduction of equipment wear and improved energyutilization with use of the invention concept, even where applied tovery high consistency refining procedures. Moreover, the application ofthe invention appears to have obviated the need for additionalconventional control elements heretofore deemed necessary to limitby-pass of the feed end disc by incoming raw materials which aredelivered to the disc refiner.

It has been found that a consequence of the invention is that a singlepass of raw material through a double revolving disc refiner will resultin a fiber product which is noticeably free of shives. The inventionenables better and more uniform feed, a higher capacity for a givendouble revolving disc refiner, a reduction of refining passes requiredforachieving a desired end product, and a reduction of equipment wearwith a facilitation of the production of high quality end products.

A primary object of the invention is to provide improvements in feed enddiscs for double revolving disc refiners which are economical to applyand which render such refiners more efficient and satisfactory in use,adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a feed end disc for usein a double revolving disc refiner which improves the refiner capacitywhile improving its power utilization.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved feed enddisc for use in a double revolving disc refiner the operation of whichinhibits buildup of incoming material on its infeed face and influencessuch material to pass through the disc feed passages to the eye of therefiner without by-pass of the refining discs by the incoming material.

A further object of the invention is to provide means in associationwith a feed end disc in a double revolving disc refiner which enables abetter and more uniform feed to the refiner, a higher capacity for agiven refiner, a reduction of the refining required to produce a qualityproduct and a reduction of equipment wear in the process.

An additional object of the invention is to provide structure of thecharacter here described possessing the advantageous features, theinherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operationherein set forth.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fullyappear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected byLetters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts andcombinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter describedor illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviouslynot necessarily the only forms of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a portion of a double revolving discrefiner illustrating an embodiment of the present invention, portions ofthe refiner being shown in generally diagrammatic form;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the feed end disc and portionsof the refiner structure embodied in the showing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view which particularly illustrates the infeedface of a feed end disc in accordance with the invention, the view beingtaken generally on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 4 wherein thelug-like devices applied to the spokes of the feed end disc are formedin a somewhat different manner;

FIG. 6 illustrates a further modification of the luglike devices whichmay be applied to a feed end disc in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of the FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a further modification of the luglike devices whichmay be applied to the spokes of a feed end disc in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows yet another modification of a lug-like device and mannerof its embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 is a view taken on line ll--l1 of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12 and 13 show yet further means whereby one might embody theinvention concept; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a feed end disc wherein lug-like devices inaccordance with the invention form part of a replaceable ring structureapplied to the infeed face of the disc.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

It is to be noted that only so much of a double revolving disc refineris here illustrated and described as may be necessary for theunderstanding of the present invention.

As illustrated the double revolving disc refiner conventionally includesa pair of refiner discs, including a feed end disc 10 and a closed disc12. The discs 10 and 12 respectively mount in a fixed relation to theirrespective drive shafts 14 and 16 which position the disc operatingfaces in an adjacent, directly opposed, closely spaced relation. Theouter peripheral portion of each of the disc operating faces mounts acircularly arranged series of relatively projected refining plates 18.

In the embodiment illustrated, immediately within the inner limit of itsrefiner plates 18, the operating face of the feed end disc 10 has aconfiguration which forms a conical projection 20 about the end 21 ofthe drive shaft 14 to which the disc mounts. The truncated apex of theprojection 20 has a stepped recess accommodating a capped nut 22 whichis threadedly engaged to the end 21 of the shaft 14. The nut 22 securesthe inner peripheral edge of the disc 10 in a fixed abutment to one endof a sleeve 24 which is fixed, in turn, to the drive shaft 14.

Immediately within its refiner plates 18, the operating face of theclosed disc 12 is recessed to fixedly seat therein a conically disheddistributor plate 26, the conically dished surface 28 of which has aconfiguration complementary to the outer surface 30 of the conicalprojection 20 on the feed end disc 10. The surfaces 28 and 30 lie inclosely adjacent, relatively parallel spaced relation to define a space32 forming the eye of the refiner. Feed passages 34 formed in the feedend disc l0 are arranged to diverge from their entrance ends which openimmediately about the drive shaft 14 to their exit ends which open fromthe conical surface 30 to the space 32, immediately inward of therefiner plates 18.

The formation and shape of the feed passages 34 create radially directedspokes 36 in the inner portion of the disc 10, the radial limits ofwhich spokes are determined by the radial limits of the feed passages.

About the drive shaft 14, the infeed face 38 of the disc 10 is providedwith an annular recess 40. The outer radial limit of the recess 40 isspaced outward of the outer radial limit of the entrance ends of thefeed passages 34 and the inner radial limit of this recess lies on acircle immediately adjacent and rimming the inner radial limit of thefeed passages 34. Seated in and fixed to the infeed face of the disc 10,in the recess 40, is the base flange of a channeling ring 42. The ring42 rims the outer peripheral limits of the feed passages 34.

In accordance with the present invention, each of the spokes 36 mounts alug-like device 44 which is fixed to or formed integrally therewith at alocation adjacent its inner radial limit. As seen in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings, the lug devices 44 areradially oriented and triangular in cross section in a sense transverseto their radial direction. At its base, which merges in each case withthe infeed face of a spoke 36, the lateral sides 46 of each lug-likeprojection are spread but they are located to be uniformly spacedinwardly of the lateral edges of the infeed face of the spoke of whichit forms an integral part. The sides 46 converge in a sense outwardly ofthe disc 10 to join on an apex line which is centered within the laterallimits of the related spoke. The outer radial limits of the lug-likedevices are spaced inwardly of the outer radial limits of the spokes 36to enable an accommodation of the discharge end of a plug wiper 62 asthe disc 10 is rotated through the medium of its drive shaft 14. It willbe noted in this instance, from FIG. 2 of the drawings, that the lugs 44project outwardly of the disc 10 beyond the projected limit of thechanneling ring 42.

Referring to FIG. 1, the discs 10 and 12 are housed in a refiner case60. One side 11 of the refiner case, to the rear of the disc 10,includes an inlet opening 50 accommodating an annular projection 52forming an extension of the discharge end of a vertically inclined feedchute 54. The projection 52 lies within and abuts a tubular projectionrimming the opening 50 in the side wall 11. The inner wall surface ofprojection 52 is in an axial alignment with the inner wall surface ofring 42 and their adjacent ends are closely spaced and substantiallybridged by a ring unit 55 fixed in an abutted relation to the projectedend of the projection 52. As provided, the feed chute 54 forms a feedpassage 56 which, in effect, is continued by its projection 52, the ringunit 55 and the channeling ring 42, the latter of which peripherallyrims the feed passages 34 and rotates with the disc 10 in the operationof the refiner.

The wall of chute 54 has an opening, adjacent its lower end,accommodating a bearing seal through which projects the drive shaft 14of the disc 10 and the sleeve 24 which is fixed about the shaft. Theside 13 of the refiner case 60 which is directly opposite the side 1 1similarly has an opening accommodating means providing a bearing for anda seal about the drive shaft 16, which projects therethrough. At itslowermost wall portion the feed chute 54 also mounts and has projectedtherethrough the plug wiper 62. As noted previously, the discharge endof the plug wiper projects through opening 50 to have its discharge endlie immediately within the inner wall of channeling member 42 whereby toprovide for its discharge through each of the feed passages 34 as thedisc rotates.

it will be seen, therefore, that any material fed through the feedpassage 56 will discharge at its lower end about the shaft 14 and thesleeve 24 which mounts thereon to move to and through the inlet opening50 and, by way of the channel defined by the inner surfaces of theprojection 52, the ring unit 55 and the channeling member 42, to andthrough the feed passages 34. The entrance ends of the latter will be incontinuous alignment with the inlet opening 50 as the disc 10 rotates.

The unique key to the invention is use of the lug-like devices 44 andparticularly their location and function.

It has been found that on infeed of raw material through the chute 54 ata high consistency in the range of 25 to percent solids and drive of thediscs 10 and 12, one relative the other, the lug-like devices 44, whichproject inwardly to the inlet opening 50 and within the boundary of thedischarge opening from the feed chute defined by the projection 52,create a turbulence and a flow controlled movement of the deliveredmaterial which enhances its fluidity and produces a channeled flowthereof to and through the feed passages 34 to the space 32. From thisspace the material is flung outwardly to pass between and be refined bythe plates 18. One effect of the movement of the luglike devices 44 isan unexpected insuction influence which induces the material to movedirectly to and through the feed passages in the disc 10.

An important consequence of the use of the lug-like devices 44 is thatthe material will move in a fuller and faster flow to and from the eyeof the refiner. The net result is a substantially complete eliminationof material buildup on the infeed face of the disc 10 and in particularan absence of buildup on the spokes 36. A side effect of the controlledflow as enabled by the addition of the simple structure of the inventionis the absence of the raw material tending to by-pass the refiner disc10 and moving outwardly between the disc 10 and the adjacent side 11 ofthe refiner case by way of the limited but necessary clearance betweenthe ring unit 55 and the adjacent end of the channeling ring 42. Theprecise reasons for the substantial improvements which result are notreadily explainable but it has been proven a fact that the lug-likedevices 44 do solve the problems of by-pass of raw material and thetendency in conventional double rotating disc refiners in many instancesto have material buildup on the infeed face of the feed end disc andthereby create undue load on the motors which drive the shafts mountingthe discs.

Accordingly, by placement of the lug-like devices 44 on the infeed faceof the feed end disc of a double rotating disc refiner in accordancewith the invention it has been found that one can insure a substantiallyshive free high quality pulp product, a product which may be achieved ina single pass between the refiner plates 18. It will of course beself-evident that the lugs 44 are required to be positioned in the pathof material flow and within the radial limits of the spokes 36 whichlaterally bound the feed passages 34. The degree of projection of thelug-like devices 44 may vary depending upon the application but in teststo date it would appear that they should project at least to a locationwithin the inlet opening 50 of the refiner case which is immediatelyadjacent the feed end disc.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings, the lug-likedevices 44 are shown to be formed integral with the disc 10 and to haveoutwardly convergent sides. FIG. 5 of the drawings shows a modificationof the lug-like devices represented by cross section similar to thatfound in FIG. 4. In this case the projection is achieved by welding asection of angle iron to the infeed face of each spoke 36. The option asto whether to use angle iron rather than forming the lug 44 integralwith a spoke will depend upon the economics of the situation. It hasbeen proven that the same results are obtained as heretofore described.

FIGS. 6 through 13 show the same double revolving disc refiner structureas set forth in FIGS. 1 through 4 with the only changes being related tothe configuration of the projections 44. In these drawings similarportions of the disc refiner before described are identified by likenumerals and only the projections and the differences in structure aredifferently identified. It will be noted that in each case, to provideclearance for operation of the plug wiper 62, the invention lug-likedevices which are provided in connection with the infeed faces of thespokes 36 are limited substantially to the inner halves of the length ofthe spokes.

In FIG. 6 of the drawings the lug-like devices, here identified by thenumeral 64, are formed by projections from the infeed face of the spokes36 which are laterally coextensive with the spokes and their endsurfaces at their outermost radial limits have an arcuate form, theradius of which is substantially uniform. The only difference evidencedin the modification of FIGS. 8 and 9, as contrasted to the modificationof FIGS. 6 and 7, is that the circularly following sides of the luglikeprojections, here identified by the numeral 74, are outwardly divergent.The latter is evidenced in FIG. 9 of the drawings.

In the case of the modification shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 the lug-likedevices, here identified by the numeral 84, are made integral with aseparable plate which may be applied to or separated from the infeedface of a spoke 36. The advantage of this is that in the case of damageor wear the lug-like devices may be readily replaced. In this last caseit will be seen that the radially outermost end surface of the lug-likedevice 84 is sloped from its base to its apex to lie in a planeextending in a sense that it is inclined to the drive shaft 14.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show yet other forms of lug-like projections which havea triangular configuration in a sense radially of the spokes to whichthey mount. In each case they are positioned like the lug-like devices44, adjacent the inner radial limit of the spokes 36.

In FIG. 12 it may be seen that the apex of the lug-like device, hereidentified as 94, is radially innermost of the related spoke. In FIG. 13the apex defined by the lug-like device, here identified by the numeral104, is radially outermost. Thus, differences lie in the modificationsof FIGS. 12 and 13 in that their lateral sides are convergent. However,in either case the lug-like devices project substantially perpendicularto and are centered between the lateral edges of the spokes 36 to whichthey mount.

FIG. 14 of the drawings shows yet another modification of the refinerdisc 10, here identified by the numeral 10'. In this case, instead ofutilizing a channeling ring 42 of the type previously described, thereis seated in the recess 40 provided at the infeed face of the disc 10' amodified channeling ring 42'. The latter is outwardly convergent and hasits projected extremity extending to and through the inlet 50 of therefiner case, here identified by the numeral 60'. The projectedextremity of the channeling ring 42' lies within the annular projectiondefining the discharge end of a feed chute 54' the construction of whichis similar to that of the previously described feed chute 54. In thisinstance, a series of radial finger-like plates 105 are formed integralwith and project inwardly from the inner periphery of the ring 42' tooverlie the respective spokes 36'. Lug-like devices 114, of a naturesimilar to the devices 44, 64, 74, 84, 94 and 104 are formed to projectfrom the innermost limits of the plates 105, to the inlet 50. Parts 14',24' and 62' correspond to parts 14, 24 and 62 of the FIG. 1 embodiment.

Thus, in the modification of FIG. 14 of the drawings the lug-likedevices are made part of a removable channeling ring which forms apassage for directing material from the feed chute 54' to the feedpassages 34 in the disc 10'.

No particular discussion has been had of the details of the refiner case60' or its associated structure shown in FIG. 14 since in and ofthemselves such details form no particular part of the presentinvention.

An essence of the invention, in its preferred embodiments, is theincorporation of the lug-like devices on the inner end portions of thespokes of the feed end disc to lie immediately about the drive shaft 14or 14' and to project directly into the material fed to the feed enddisc through the immediately adjacent inlet opening in the refiner case.

In each instance and in the case of each modification, unique andunexpected results obtain. Such results, as described, includeinhibition of by-pass of raw material and an insuction effecting acontrol of the material fed to insure its rapid and fluid movementdirectly to and through the feed passages of the feed end disc to therefiner eye. Concentration and buildup of material on the infeed face ofthe feed end disc, as has been prevalent in many instances in the priorart, has been eliminated. Also, in prior double disc refinerinstallations of the nature described there have in many instances beensevere wear on the barrel of the feed chute. A further effect of theinvention is the elimination of this wear. It is believed that thisresults from the fluidity of movement of the raw material as enabled bythe addition of the lug-like devices of the invention. As isself-evident, load on a refiner of the nature described is minimized,resulting in a significant savings in power.

Experience has shown that the invention results in a high throughput,even with high consistency feed, without blow-back or violent changes inload. Available power utilization has been increased by as high as 33percent. It has been possible to increase the production capacity of adouble revolving disc refiner by reason of the invention, as much as 50percent while operating on material having a 25 percent consistency orhigher.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effectand the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appendedclaims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A feed end refining disc for use in a disc refiner comprising aplate-like body having an infeed face, an operating face, and at leastone feed passage having an exit end at said operating face and anentrance end opening from said infeed face, characterized by meansproviding an irregular surface contour on said infeed face at least aportion of which is projected from said infeed face and arranged thereonadjacent and generally clear of said entrance end of said feed passageto inhibit material fed to said infeed face for movement through saidfeed passage from building up on said infeed face.

2. A feed end disc as in claim 1 wherein said means providing saidirregular surface contour on said infeed face includes a lug-likeprojection at least a portion of which lies to one side of said feedpassage.

3. A feed end disc as in claim 2 wherein said lug-like projection isdefined by means positioned adjacent the center of said body.

4. A feed end refining disc as in claim 1 characterized by a pluralityof said feed passages and said means providing an irregular surfacecontour on said infeed face including a plurality of lug-likeprojections which are incorporated to project from said infeed faceadjacent to and about the center of said body.

5. A double revolving disc refiner including said feed end disc as inclaim 1, a second refining disc positioned in adjacent, opposed, closelyspaced relation to said feed end disc to form therebetween a space forreceiving material fed through said feed passage and directing suchmaterial between the refining faces of said discs, a refiner casehousing said discs, said case having means defining an inlet opening forpassing material to the infeed face of said disc and said projectedportion extending from said infeed face of said body to the location ofsaid inlet to lie directly in the path of materials fed to said feedpassage in the course of rotation of said feed end disc.

6. A feed end refining disc for use in a disc refiner comprising aplate-like body having an infeed face, an operating face, and aplurality of feed passages opening at one end from said operating faceand at the opposite end from said infeed face, lateral sides of saidpassages being defined by spoke-like formations in said body, and meansproviding an irregular surface contour on said infeed face includinglug-like devices projecting from said spoke-like formations to move inthe path of material fed to said feed passages on rotation of saidplate-like body to influence such material to be channelled to andthrough said feed passages and to inhibit a build-up of such material onsaid infeed face.

7. A feed end disc for use in a disc refiner comprising a plate-likebody having an infeed face, an operating face, and a plurality of feedpassages opening at one end from said operating face and at the oppositeend from said infeed face, the lateral extremities of said passagesbeing defined by a plurality of spokes formed in said body adjacent itscenter, said spokes having a generally radial orientation and a limitedradial extent, and means defining an irregular surface contour on saidinfeed face including means defining projections from said infeed facewithin the radial limits of said spokes.

8. A feed end disc as in claim 7 wherein said projections areconstituted by lug-like formations which are positioned to project fromthe radially innermost portions of said spokes.

9. A feed end disc as in claim 8 characterized by the lateral sides ofsaid projections having a non-parallel relation and intersecting at oneradial limit thereof.

10. A feed end disc as in claim 7 wherein said projections have a radialextent less than that of the spokes from which they project.

11. A feed end disc as in claim 10 wherein said projections arelaterally centered on said spokes.

12. A feed end disc as in claim 10 wherein said projections arecharacterized by generally radially oriented sides which converge in asense outwardly from the infeed face of said body.

13. A feed end disc as in claim 10 characterized by said projectionshaving generally radially oriented sides which are generally paralleland the lateral extent of said projections is substantially equal tothat of the spokes from which they project.

14. A feed end disc as in claim 13 characterized by the generallyradially oriented sides of said projections being sloped to slightlyoverlap adjacent lateral extremities of feed passages.

15. A feed end disc as in claim 7 characterized by said projectionsforming at least part of a separable structure which is releasablyconnected to the infeed face of said plate-like body.

16. A feed end disc as in claim 15 wherein said releasable structureembodies a channeling ring arranged to rim said feed passages and tofunction to direct material for movement through said feed passages.

17. A double revolving disc refiner including a feed end refining disc,comprising a plate-like body having an infeed face, an operating faceand a plurality of feed passages opening at one end from said operatingface and at the opposite end from said infeed face, a second refiningdisc positioned in adjacent, opposed, closely spaced relation to theoperating face of said feed end disc to form therewith a space forreceiving material fed through said feed passages and directing suchmaterial between refining faces of the discs, a refiner case housingsaid discs, said case having means defining an opening providing aninlet for passing material to the infeed face of said feed end disc, thelateral extremities of said feed passages being defined by spokes formedin said body of said feed end disc, each of which spokes includes meansforming a projection from said infeed face of said body, a feed chute inconnection with said refiner case the discharge end of which rims saidinlet, further means in connection with the infeed face of saidplate-like body extending to said inlet to form a continuation of thepassage defined by said feed chute and to peripherally rim said feedpassages at said infeed face whereby to confine and direct material fedthrough said feed chute to move to the infeed face of said feed end discand said feed passages, and said projections from said spokes beingdirected toward said inlet and into the material fed to said infeed faceof said plate-like body as the material is advanced for movement to andthrough said feed passages, to produce a controlled movement of saidmaterial obviating by-pass of said plate-like body by said material,influencing the channelling thereof directly through said feed passagesand inhibiting the build-up of said material on said spokes. 1:

1. A feed end refining disc for use in a disc refiner comprising aplate-like body having an infeed face, an operating face, and at leastone feed passage having an exit end at said operating face and anentrance end opening from said infeed face, characterized by meansproviding an irregular surface contour on said infeed face at least aportion of which is projected from said infeed face and arranged thereonadjacent and generally clear of said entrance end of said feed passageto inhibit material fed to said infeed face for movement through saidfeed passage from building up on said infeed face.
 2. A feed end disc asin claim 1 wherein said means providing said irregular surface contouron said infeed face includes a lug-like projection at least a portion ofwhich lies to one side of said feed passage.
 3. A feed end disc as inclaim 2 wherein said lug-like projection is defined by means positionedadjacent the center of said body.
 4. A feed end refining disc as inclaim 1 characterized by a plurality of said feed passages and saidmeans providing an irregular surface contour on said infeed faceincluding a plurality of lug-like projections which are incorporated toproject from said infeed face adjacent to and about the center of saidbody.
 5. A double revolving disc refiner including said feed end disc asin claim 1, a second refining disc positioned in adjacent, opposed,closely spaced relation to said feed end disc to form therebetween aspace for receiving material fed through said feed passage and directingsuch material between the Refining faces of said discs, a refiner casehousing said discs, said case having means defining an inlet opening forpassing material to the infeed face of said disc and said projectedportion extending from said infeed face of said body to the location ofsaid inlet to lie directly in the path of materials fed to said feedpassage in the course of rotation of said feed end disc.
 6. A feed endrefining disc for use in a disc refiner comprising a plate-like bodyhaving an infeed face, an operating face, and a plurality of feedpassages opening at one end from said operating face and at the oppositeend from said infeed face, lateral sides of said passages being definedby spoke-like formations in said body, and means providing an irregularsurface contour on said infeed face including lug-like devicesprojecting from said spoke-like formations to move in the path ofmaterial fed to said feed passages on rotation of said plate-like bodyto influence such material to be channelled to and through said feedpassages and to inhibit a build-up of such material on said infeed face.7. A feed end disc for use in a disc refiner comprising a plate-likebody having an infeed face, an operating face, and a plurality of feedpassages opening at one end from said operating face and at the oppositeend from said infeed face, the lateral extremities of said passagesbeing defined by a plurality of spokes formed in said body adjacent itscenter, said spokes having a generally radial orientation and a limitedradial extent, and means defining an irregular surface contour on saidinfeed face including means defining projections from said infeed facewithin the radial limits of said spokes.
 8. A feed end disc as in claim7 wherein said projections are constituted by lug-like formations whichare positioned to project from the radially innermost portions of saidspokes.
 9. A feed end disc as in claim 8 characterized by the lateralsides of said projections having a non-parallel relation andintersecting at one radial limit thereof.
 10. A feed end disc as inclaim 7 wherein said projections have a radial extent less than that ofthe spokes from which they project.
 11. A feed end disc as in claim 10wherein said projections are laterally centered on said spokes.
 12. Afeed end disc as in claim 10 wherein said projections are characterizedby generally radially oriented sides which converge in a sense outwardlyfrom the infeed face of said body.
 13. A feed end disc as in claim 10characterized by said projections having generally radially orientedsides which are generally parallel and the lateral extent of saidprojections is substantially equal to that of the spokes from which theyproject.
 14. A feed end disc as in claim 13 characterized by thegenerally radially oriented sides of said projections being sloped toslightly overlap adjacent lateral extremities of feed passages.
 15. Afeed end disc as in claim 7 characterized by said projections forming atleast part of a separable structure which is releasably connected to theinfeed face of said plate-like body.
 16. A feed end disc as in claim 15wherein said releasable structure embodies a channeling ring arranged torim said feed passages and to function to direct material for movementthrough said feed passages.
 17. A double revolving disc refinerincluding a feed end refining disc, comprising a plate-like body havingan infeed face, an operating face and a plurality of feed passagesopening at one end from said operating face and at the opposite end fromsaid infeed face, a second refining disc positioned in adjacent,opposed, closely spaced relation to the operating face of said feed enddisc to form therewith a space for receiving material fed through saidfeed passages and directing such material between refining faces of thediscs, a refiner case housing said discs, said case having meansdefining an opening providing an inlet for passing material to theinfeed face of said feed end disc, the lateral extremities of said feedpassages being defined by spokes formed in said body of said feed enddisc, each of which spokes includes means forming a projection from saidinfeed face of said body, a feed chute in connection with said refinercase the discharge end of which rims said inlet, further means inconnection with the infeed face of said plate-like body extending tosaid inlet to form a continuation of the passage defined by said feedchute and to peripherally rim said feed passages at said infeed facewhereby to confine and direct material fed through said feed chute tomove to the infeed face of said feed end disc and said feed passages,and said projections from said spokes being directed toward said inletand into the material fed to said infeed face of said plate-like body asthe material is advanced for movement to and through said feed passages,to produce a controlled movement of said material obviating by-pass ofsaid plate-like body by said material, influencing the channellingthereof directly through said feed passages and inhibiting the build-upof said material on said spokes.